New York Today: Readers Respond to the State of Our Subway

An investigation by The New York Times revealed how the city’s crumbling subway system got to this crisis point — through decades of those in power steering money away from the problems at hand.

We have received nearly a thousand responses to the story as of this morning, many of them from commuters expressing outrage. Some demanded that politicians put their differences aside to focus on what matters: repairs. Others questioned whether decision makers even ride the subway. Some were stunned to learn how much M.T.A. workers make. And others called on fellow straphangers to react — and act.

A sample of what readers in New York and elsewhere are saying:

Lawmakers Need to ‘Work Together’

“Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio should be forced to ride the subways together, preferably while handcuffed and holding hands, until the New York City subway system’s on-time performance meets or surpasses the standards set by other American subway systems.”

— William Ryall, 66, West Harlem

“Quit bickering and work together to repair and replace hazardous conditions before something horrific occurs.”

— Barbara Woodin, 76, West Chester, Pa.

“All elected officials should be required to ride the subway or take the buses, especially those who have any input toward the budgets — the mayor, the governor, and the M.T.A. board. Stop fighting over who’s in charge and do something.”

— Amy Sears, 54, Washington Heights

M.T.A. Workers Make How Much?

“The M.T.A. system is a disgrace. Meanwhile we learn that M.T.A. administrators are making $280,000 (really?) and average workers are pulling in $170,000, while millions are being diverted to everything but maintenance and upkeep, track and signal upgrades, safety, and cleanliness. It’s almost criminal.”

— John Keene, 52, Jersey City

“Mr. Samuelsen rejected the idea that subway workers were overpaid, arguing that it is a dangerous job in which assault is common. As a primary care sub-specialist physician, I am unlikely ever to earn this type of salary. Many people work hard in dangerous conditions — teachers, doctors, nurses, construction workers — get over yourself, Mr. Samuelson.”

— Dr. Kanani Titchen, 42, Manhattan

Commuters Need to Stand Up

“We transit rider suckers and New York taxpayers have been the unwitting out-of-town marks skinned by Times Square three-card monte hustlers — sharks who have been suppressing their laughter while playing us over and over, never letting slip how this racket has worked. So help me, every New Yorker should read this and make those responsible pay in all future elections.”

— Ric Fouad, 56, Upper West Side

“It isn’t a mere question of corruption. It is structural disinvestment in public commons, in this case, public transportation. It’s thievery. Cancel all the debts; prosecute the entire group that removed our capital, and the country can rebuild decent lives.”

— Brian Prager, 58, Astoria, Queens

“Accountability. Our mayor shrugs and says ‘it’s not my job.’ The governor steals M.T.A. money for other projects and then declares an emergency. The chairman of the M.T.A. is worried that there are no phone chargers on the subway when the signals fail nearly every day. We deserve better. Vote the elected guys out of office and then get a new chairman. ”

— Steve Dominguez, 55, Bayside, Queens

Here’s what else is happening:

Weather

We’re giving thanks (a couple days early) for this radiant weather.

Sunny skies over the city today with a high of 59 — if only it could be this lovely out on what’s shaping up to be a much chillier Thanksgiving Day.

In the News

• In an interview with the Times, Joseph J. Lhota, the M.T.A. chairman, said New York’s mass transportation system is not the world leader it once was and that has to change. [New York Times]

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Joseph J. Lhota, the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.CreditVictor J. Blue for The New York Times

• WeWork, the office space-sharing company, is starting its own school called WeGrow. [New York Times]

• A road meant to ease traffic will be named after Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey. [New York Times]

• A lawsuit claims the police on Long Island are cooperating with federal immigration officers in ways that break state law. [New York Times]

• A woman who claimed the devil made her smother her son in 2015 was sentenced to 18 years in prison. [New York Times]

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A memorial for Gavriel Ortiz-Fisher in Brooklyn in March 2015. The child was found unconscious on his mother’s lap in a Manhattan restaurant.CreditKevin Hagen for The New York Times

• The New York Times has suspended Glenn Thrush, one of its most prominent reporters, after he was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior. [New York Times]

• A federal monitor could be appointed to supervise the New York City Housing Authority, amid revelations that the city has for years failed to do lead-paint inspections in thousands of public-housing apartments. [New York Times]

• Forty people were injured and one was reportedly missing after two explosions and a fire at an upstate factory that makes nail polish. [New York Daily News]

• Brooklyn and Queens residents are divided over plans for a light rail system that would connect the two boroughs. [WNYC]

Coming Up Today

• Children can see “The Three Bears Holiday Bash” — a variety show with puppetry, music and dance — at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater in Central Park. 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. [$8 children, $12 adults]

And Finally...

As if our commutes weren’t already enough of a mess: Thanksgiving travel mayhem is upon us.

AAA is projecting that 51 million Americans will travel for the holiday, the most in more than a decade.

In New York, the worst time to head out for Thanksgiving is not Wednesday, but rather today between 4 and 6 p.m., according to the traffic-and-navigation app Waze.

The automobile association said delays in New York are expected to double around this time, and that the Long Island Expressway at Routes 106 and 107, in Nassau County, will become one of the most snarled areas in the country. Catching a flight? The biggest headache will be for those traveling to Kennedy International Airport between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. today, the group said.

Plan accordingly, and safe travels.

New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here.